Have you made your list and checked it twice? This time of the year has most of us oversubscribed. While we are thankful for the time we have with our families and the celebrations that take place, it is a very busy, and at times, stressful part of the year. With that being said, it might not seem like a good time to start a job search, but think again.
Some hiring managers who have open positions have to fill them by the end of the year in order to retain the headcount. That means a big push for recruiters to help companies looking to fill open positions. If you are in the market, or might be curious about opportunities that are available, November and December are great months to start conversations with recruiters.
With two months left in the calendar year, many of us are not looking for a new job. As a result, there is less competition for open roles. The majority of working Americans are overwhelmed between work, our personal lives and the requirements of the holidays. That means there are fewer applicants for open positions in November and December. If you meet the requirements for a job and begin the interview process at this time, you have a better chance of impressing a hiring manager due to the fact that there are fewer people in the candidate pool. You can stand out because there are less people interviewing for the same job. And just think about how much more competitive that same opening will be once your counterparts have decided, after completing a list of New Year’s resolutions, they need to find a new job as well.
Historically, January is a month where job seekers become extremely active. With a new year and a new set of personal and professional goals at stake, workers are interested in stepping out and seriously looking at what other companies have to offer. Everyone is looking for a change.
Simply put, the time is now. This is the perfect opportunity to market yourself and the unique qualifications you bring to the table. While scheduling can be more difficult this time of year due to employees being out of the office, a motivated hiring manager will make sure qualified candidates are interviewed as quickly as possible.
Don’t put off a job search this time of year because you are worried it could be fruitless; most likely you will find the opposite. Hiring managers are eager to find the right fit and secure a strong candidate that could start as soon as possible – or even at the beginning of the next calendar year. How good would it feel to start the new year off with a fantastic new job?
Julie Schmidt is a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Mom Corps Dallas
